About St. Gabriel the Archangel · Indianapolis, Indiana
St. Gabriel the Archangel is a Roman Catholic parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, located on the west side of Indianapolis at 6000 W. 34th St. Founded in 1962/1963 to serve the post-war suburban boom on the west side, it began as a largely Anglo congregation and over the decades has become one of the most culturally diverse parishes in the city, with a large and active Hispanic community alongside African-American, Filipino, and other families. Today it is celebrated bilingually in English and Spanish at most Masses and is led by Fr. Cyprian Eranimus Fernandez. Its parish school merged with St. Michael the Archangel School in 2010 to form St. Michael-St. Gabriel Archangels (PK-8), and the parish church itself was finally renovated and consecrated as a permanent worship space on February 6, 2011 by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein after nearly five decades in what had originally been built as a temporary structure.
- Established
- 1962
- Patron
- St. Gabriel the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Cyprian Eranimus Fernandez
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Why belong here
St. Gabriel is a welcoming, genuinely multicultural parish on Indianapolis's west side where English and Spanish worship side by side — its weekend schedule includes bilingual, English, and Spanish Masses, and its clergy and staff reflect that same dual-language ministry. The parish offers a full sacramental life (daily Mass, reconciliation several days a week, Eucharistic adoration, baptism prep, First Communion and Confirmation preparation, and OCIA for adults seeking to become Catholic), a parish school through the St. Michael–St. Gabriel Archangels collaboration, active faith formation for children and adults, and outreach through a Bereavement Ministry and other parish-life groups. Its long-awaited 2011 renovation and consecration, combined with decades of adapting to changing west-side neighborhoods, makes it a parish grounded in stability, hospitality, and service.
Mass times at St. Gabriel the Archangel
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday: 9:00 AM (after the 8:30 AM Mass)
- Friday: 9:00 AM (after the 8:30 AM Mass)
- Wednesday: 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 6:00 PM (after the 5:00 PM Vigil Mass)
- Or by appointment
Adoration times
- First Friday of the month: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Parish History
St. Gabriel the Archangel was established in 1962 by the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, carved from portions of St. Michael the Archangel, St. Monica, and St. Christopher parishes to serve the post-war boom on the city's west side. Archbishop Paul C. Schulte broke ground on the church, and founding pastor Father Victor Wright concelebrated the first Mass in 1963 in a worship space that was always intended to be temporary — a multi-purpose building adjacent to the school that doubled as a gym. That 'temporary' structure served as the spiritual home of the parish for nearly five decades, witnessing baptisms, weddings, funerals, school events, and parish festivals across generations. As the original suburban cohort aged, the parish welcomed growing African-American, Filipino, and especially Hispanic communities, becoming one of the most culturally diverse congregations in the archdiocese and embracing bilingual liturgy. The parish school merged with St. Michael the Archangel School in 2010, freeing the original building for church renovation; the altar was moved from north to south, stained-glass windows and a new baptismal font were installed, sacred art was added, and Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein solemnly consecrated the new church on February 6, 2011 — the first such consecration in parish history. The community then marked its 50th anniversary in 2012–2013 with bilingual Masses and festivities led by Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin.
- Founded 1962; first Mass celebrated 1963
- Formed from St. Michael the Archangel, St. Monica, and St. Christopher parishes
- Founding pastor: Father Victor Wright; groundbreaking under Archbishop Paul C. Schulte
- School merged with St. Michael the Archangel School in 2010 to form St. Michael–St. Gabriel Archangels (PK-8)
- Church consecrated by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein on February 6, 2011
- 50th anniversary celebrated in 2012–2013 with Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Gabriel is rooted in the conviction that parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, and the parish offers age-appropriate formation from preschool through adulthood. Children's Religious Education (Preschool–6th grade) walks students through Scripture, prayer, and Catholic foundations while preparing them to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist. Adult Faith Formation supports parents whose children are enrolling in Religious Education, and Sacramental Prep includes Baptism Preparation for parents seeking the sacrament for their child.
- Religious Education (K–6th grade, Preschool welcome)
- Adult Faith Formation
- Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, Reconciliation, First Eucharist)
- Coordinator: Magali Gonzalez — (317) 701-3921
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) for adults who are interested in becoming Catholic, completing their sacraments, or simply learning more about the Catholic faith. OCIA accompanies inquirers through the rites, catechesis, and sacramental preparation of the Christian initiation process.
- OCIA for unbaptized adults, Christians seeking full communion, and Catholics completing sacraments
St. Michael–St. Gabriel Archangels School
Parish Catholic education continues through the collaboration with neighboring St. Michael the Archangel Parish: in 2010 St. Gabriel School merged with St. Michael the Archangel School to form St. Michael–St. Gabriel Archangels (PK-8), sustaining Catholic elementary education on the west side. The school is now located at 3352 W. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222, with Elizabeth Ramos as principal and an enrollment of about 301 students.
- St. Michael–St. Gabriel Archangels (PK-8)
- Address: 3352 W. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN 46222
- Phone: (317) 926-0516; Fax: (317) 283-5511
- Website: www.indyarchangel.org
- Principal: Elizabeth Ramos ([email protected])
- Total students: 301
Music & Liturgy Ministry
The Music and Liturgy Ministry underwrites the parish's rich bilingual worship life, including the parish choirs that lead singing at English, Spanish, and bilingual Masses. The parish actively invites new members to 'Join the Choir / Únete al coro.' The director coordinates with the pastor to support reverent, beautiful liturgy year-round, and the same office coordinates livestreamed Sunday Masses.
- Director of Liturgy & Music: Amylou Porter
- Contact: 317-291-7014, Ext. 225
- Choir recruitment ongoing — 'Join the Choir / Únete al coro'
Parish Life, Outreach & Bereavement
St. Gabriel groups its lay apostolate under Parish Life & Outreach, with responsibility for promoting family life and social justice within both the parish and civic community, and a separate Stewardship ministry fostering good stewardship of time, talent, and treasure. A Bereavement Ministry accompanies parishioners through the loss of a loved one; families can ask the parish office for information. The parish also coordinates sacramental request forms (marriage, baptism, anointing) and other pastoral needs.
- Parish Life & Outreach
- Stewardship
- Social Justice / Family Life ministry
- Bereavement Ministry
- Sacramental Request Forms
Sacraments
St. Gabriel celebrates the full sacramental life of a Catholic parish, with preparation programs for parents and adults seeking each sacrament for themselves or their children. Reconciliation is offered Monday through Saturday at varied times (see Mass Times). Families new to the parish are encouraged to register in order to receive sacraments and benefit from parish programs; Sacramental Request Forms are available through the parish office.
- Baptism (with Baptism Preparation for parents)
- Confirmation
- Eucharist (First Communion preparation through Religious Education)
- Reconciliation / Confession
- Marriage — Sacramental Request Form required
- Anointing of the Sick — by request to the parish office
Becoming a Member / New Parishioners
St. Gabriel encourages new parishioners to register formally with the parish — registration is necessary for receiving the sacraments for one's children, for parish benefits and assistance, and to be considered an active member. New registrants initially receive white-and-blue welcome envelopes for use at Mass; after regular contributions begin, a registration number is assigned and personal envelopes are mailed. While waiting for personal envelopes to arrive, parishioners use the white-and-green envelopes in the gathering space near the TV. Registration is done through the parish office.
- Register via the parish office
- Welcome envelopes used until personal envelopes are mailed (~2 months)
- Required for sacramental eligibility and parish benefits
Contact & Visit
The parish office is staffed Monday through Thursday with Friday and Saturday closed; staff are available in the gathering space after all Sunday Masses. The parish can be reached by phone, fax, email, or in person, and offers a myParish app for ongoing connection.
- Address: 6000 W. 34th St., Indianapolis, IN 46224
- Phone: (317) 291-7014; Fax: (317) 297-6455
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon 10 AM–6 PM; Tue 10 AM–5 PM; Wed 1 PM–6 PM; Thu 12 PM–5 PM; Fri & Sat closed; Sun after all Masses (gathering space)
- myParish App — search using ZIP 46224
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Victor Wright1963 (founding)
Founding pastor; concelebrated the first Mass in the temporary worship space with Archbishop Paul C. Schulte.
- Father Larry Crawford
Pastor who led the parish through the 2010 church renovation/consecration, the 2010 school merger with St. Michael the Archangel, and the 50th anniversary preparations; quoted extensively in archdiocesan coverage of the events.